FOGS Under 20s Cup

No penalty for Ricky

The Roosters Ricky Stuart has avoided a $10,000 fine following remarks he made about referee Paul Simpkins during and after his team's victory over the Bulldogs on Friday night.

Stuart has been issued with a warning though and NRL CEO David Gallop has warned all coaches in the game that they need to remain mindful of the image they present for the good of the game.

Ricky's comments centred around the sending-off of International prop Adrian Morley, who is no stranger to trouble. Having caught Canterbury's Matt Utai around the neck and head with his arm and hand, Morley was marched from the field despite protests from captain Luke Ricketson, who also claimed later on the Utai milked the incident by remaining down on the ground.

Stuart then went on to suggest post match that Simpkins would be finding himself in reserve grade this week.
Roosters CEO Brian Canavan has come out in defence of his club's coach, indicating he has no designs on preventing Stuart from expressing his views, which he categorised as passionate. This comes despite a warning by Graham Annesley, the league's chief operating officer, that the club went very close to being issued with a $10,000 fine.

Finally though, the Bondi club can breathe easy with the NRL's match review committee finding Morley has no case to answer and is free to take his place in the side to play St George Illawarra on Monday.